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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Harvey
House Railroad Depot
Barstow
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Harvey
House Railroad Depot also known as the Casa Del Desierto
sits by the railroad tracks in Barstow, California.
The Barstow Railroad Depot opened in 1911 as a Santa
Fee train station and Harvey House.
Before there were dinning cars trains would stop at
Harvey Houses so passengers could dine or even spend
the night before resuming their journey.
Barstow's Harvey House was equipped with a full ballroom
and not only used by train passengers but by locals
for dances and social events. After Santa Fe started
serving meals on trains Casa Del Desierto went into
decline.
Over the years vandals stole, destroyed and ransacked
much of the stations interior and the Santa Fe Railway
decided to tear down the the building in 1988.
Thanks to an effort from locals, historians and rail
fans Santa Fe was persuaded to halt the demolition of
the depot. Restoration began in 1990, 8.3 million dollars
later, the Casa Del Desierto was re-dedicated in 1999.
The building is in amazing condition
and looks much like it did when it was a busy train
station. |
Today the
Barstow Harvey House Railroad Depot is used for Greyhound
and Amtrak station, the Mother Road Route 66 Museum, and
the Western America Railroad Museum.
If your 're heading to or from Las Vegas take an hour break
from the busy freeway and check out this wonderful historic
building.
The route 66 museum is full of pictures and memorabilia
about route 66 and the Harvey House. Admission is free but
donations are welcome.
Western America Railroad Museum also has free admission
and is jam packed with information about Casa
Del Desierto and the trains that use
to stop there. Outside is a collection of rail cars, locomotives,
rolling stock and general railroad operating equipment.
While visiting the Harvey House Railroad Depot chances are
you will see a least a couple of huge freight trains passing
by on their way out into the Mojave Desert. Some of these
trains are over a mile long.
Plan on spending at least an hour visiting Casa
Del Desierto. No food or beverages are on site but plenty
of places just up the hill in Barstow.
Nearby Barstow attraction, Calico
Ghost Town, a restored western silver mining town and
Tanger Outlet Center. |
Harvey
House Railroad Depot is defiantly
worth pulling off the freeway to check out. Take
Barstow Road north (toward Main Street). At Main Street
turn left (west), go three blocks, then right (north) on
1st Avenue.
Cross the first bridge over the BNSF rail yards until you
get to the Harvey House entrance on your right.
From Route 66 (Main Street): Head down Main
Street until you get to 1st Avenue.
Make a right or left (north) towards the BNSF rail yards.
Cross the first bridge over the BNSF rail yards until you
get to the Harvey House.
Barstow Harvey House Railroad Depot 685 North First Street
Barstow, CA 92311 From Interstate 15/40: |
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Barstow
Outlets a favorite
stop for travelers between Los Angeles and Las Vegas
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Scotty's
Castle smack dab in the middle of Death
Valley National Park. A must see on any visit. |
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